E2 suppresses peripheral cytokines following MCAO. MIP1α /CCL3 was significantly suppressed by E2-treatment after MCAO injury in WT mice (*, P < 0.05), while E2 provided no further suppression in iNOS−/− mice compared to oil-treated controls. As with infarct volume, an effect of genotype was observed in iNOS−/− oil-treated mice which were also protected during stroke compared to WT oil-treated mice (#, P < 0.05, n = 8–12 mice/genotype/treatment). Values represent mean ± SEM.